Disconnecting switch



C. CHRISTENSEN DISGO-ENECTNG SWITCH May 18 1926. 1,584,733

Original Filed June 21, 192s 'z sheets-sheet 1 C749/ 5f 0/4 :fer

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May 1s', 192e. 1,584,733

C. CHRISTENSEN DISCONNECTING SWITCH t Original Filed June 21, 1925 7Sheets-Sheet 2 |"I' rV/ l l C. CHRISTENSEN DISCOfNNECTING SWITCH May 18,1926. 1,584,733

Original Filed June 21, 1923 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 18 1926.

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DIscoNNEcTING swITcH Original Filed June 21, 1923 7 sheets-sheet 5 Hfe/z@mie/26622 May 18 1926.

C. CHRISTENSN DISCONNEGTING SWITCH v7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed June2l. 1923 l Il Cmlsen /gmlstemen May 18 1926.

C. CHRISTENSEN DISGONNECTING SWITCH Original Filed June 21, 1923 '7sheets-sheet 7 222/622202* ralszen /znlsemen.

Patented May 18, 1926.

nire sixties- ATENT OFFICE.

CHRISTEN CI-IRISTENSEN, OF CHICAGOJ ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRICALENGI- NEERS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFILLI- NCIS.

DISCON'NECTING SWITCH.

Original application leri .Tune 21, 1923, Serial No. 646,750. Dividedand this application filed October 17, 1924. Seriai'No. 744,117.

This application is a division of my prior application on disconnectingswitches, Serial No. 646,750, filed June 21, 1923. One of the mainobjects of the present invention is to provide an improved electricswitch which is so constructed that the operating mechanism is capableof imparting a strong initial force to the switch blade in order tocause it to break contact with the switch terminal or terminals as thecase may be. n

Disconnecting switches of the type which I shall hereinafter describe inconnection with the drawings, are commonly used in conjunction with oilswitches in high tension work. In this work the practice is to use oneof these switches in the-conductor leading from the bus bar to the oilswitch and one in the conductor leading from the oil switch to theoutside line. rIhis arrangement is necessary in order to permit repairsor necessary adjustments to be made on the oil switch. Hence, it isobvious that the switches used in conjunction with the oil switch may inmany cases not be operated for long periods. The contact betweenengaging surfaces must be firm in order to eliminate resistance and alsoto secure a large area of engagement. The firm engagement requiredresults in large static friction, making it necessary to apply a strongforce on the switch blade to breakr it away from its correspondingcontact terminal.

Another object is the provision of a novel, inexpensive and ruggedswitch operating vmechanism to impart a powerful initial force to theblade .toy break contact and thereafter to cause the switch blade tomove with increased velocity to full open position. This additionalfeature of the iiivention makes this type of switch especially adaptablefor low tension work where oil switches are not used. Y

More particularly, this application is confined to that species ofswitches in which the switch blade extends beyond the terminal withwhich it makes contact and is operated by means connected to its outer`or free end. ,The broad claims are retained in said parent case. Whenthe operating mechanism is connected to the outer end of the switchblade, the initial force rebrought to the fulcrum or pivoting point ofthe blade. Hence, any force applied to the switch blade at its outer endby means of suitable operating mechanism connected thereto will be moreeffective in breaking away the blade from itscontact terminal than ifthe same force were' applied at any other point of the switch blade.

Other features residing in the construction and arrangement ofparts willbe apparent from the following detailed description. Sonie of theimprovements in the present application may be applied to switches ofother types,and I do not, therefore, intend to limit'these improvementsto the particular form of switch herein shown and described.

I shall now describe several embodiments of the invention in connectionwith the accompanying drawings which form a part vof the presentspecification.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one` Fig. t is aside elevational view of an-` other embodiment;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4:;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal 'sectional View through an arrangement of switchcells or compartmentsshowing switches and switch operatingy meansembodying my present invention in connection therewith; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view on line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

The switch illust-rated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is used in high tensioncircuits and is of the three phase gang type of vertical switch, andcomprises six switch units, three of said units, for example the upperthree units 5-5-5, being adapted for connection to one side and thelower three units 6-6-6 of a bracket 58. Villien operating handle 55 isin the upper position illustrated, pivotal connection 56 is in thevertical plane of pivot 57 or is thrown past said plane whereby theoperating mechanism is locked against accidental opening. ln operatinglever 55 the same is thrown or swung downward through approximately 180degrees to the position shown indotted lines. By this motion pivot 56 iscarried into or past the vertical plane of pivot 57 below said pivot soas to again lock the operating mechanism in its lower position and theswitch units in their open position as will be hereinafter apparent.

vWith the switch units closed as shown, the operation of thisembodimentof the invention is as follows z- Gperating handle or lever 55 is throwninto dotted line position (Fig. l). Operating rod 53 is thereby drawndownwardly and common operating shaft 25 is revolved in acounterclockwise direction (Fig. l). Rotation of arms Set with shaft 25draws operating links 3() toward their dotted line positions. j

rllhe adjustable mounting of bearing blocks 26 already referred tocomprises a slidable mounting of said blocks in channel supports 27 atthe outer ends of brackets 26 between set screws 60 through which setscrews 60 the positions of blocks 26 may be adjusted forwardly orrearwardly in channel supports 27 as desired. This adjustment permitsadjustment of the operating shaft 25 toward or from wall 7 and therebythe operating vmechanism without adjusting the separate connectionslwith the switch blades. The point of rotation ofshaft 25 at which theswitch units are opened and closed may be adjusted by adjusting theposition of shaft 25 in this manner and play between shaft 25 and blades10 may be eliminated or adjusted as desired without adjusting thevarious operating links themselves or the pivotal connectionstherebetween.

lhile the illustration and description of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 relate tothree phase systems, the invention is equally as applicable to a singleor any other number of phases. In the foregoing embodiment the units 5and 6 are illustrated and described as opening and closing together. Theoperating mechanism may be applied to open one set of switch units andclose the other and vice versa. The lower units instead of beinginverted may be mounted in upright position as are the upper units orall of the switch units may be mounted in inverted position should thatbe desirable.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 independent operatingshafts 65 and 66 are provided for each of the horizontal rows of switchunits 67 and 68. As in the embodiment shown inlfgs. l, 2 and k3 theuppery and lower switch units 67 and 66 which are mounted on verticalwall 69 are staggered relative each other, upper units 67 being arrangedin horizontal alignment and lower units 68 arranged in horizontalalignment parallel to units 67.

In this case each switch ,unit comprises a lower hinge terminal 70 andan upper contact terminal 7l adapted to be connected by a blade ormovable switch member 72. Each of the terminals 7() and 7l consists of atongue or terminal lug and each blade comprises a pair of parallelblades for embracing the terminal lugs of the contact terminals andpivoted on the tongues or lugs of hinge terminals 70 by pivot bolts 7 3,suitable spring washers being provided to resiliently press the bladesinto contact with the sides of the terminals. As before, supportinginsulators 74C are mounted at their inner ends upon the face of wall 69and project therefrom. rlhe outer ends of insulations 74 are providedwith fittings 75 upon which terminals 70 and 7l are suitably mounted.Terminals 70 and 7l are electrically connected into the circuits orphases in which the respective units are arranged through conductors orleads 76. l

The horizontal switch operating shafts and 66 are rotatably journaled`in bearing blocks 7S which blocks 78 are as before, adjustably mountedin supporting channels 79 at the outer ends of vsupporting arms orbrackets 80 between set screws 82 through which said blocks are adjustedforwardly orl rearwardly through channels 7 9 as desired. Supportingarms or brackets SO are suitably mounted at their inner ends upon wall6i) and project therefrom.

Each of the blades or pivoted switch members 72 of upper switch units 67is connected to operating shaft 65 through operating or connecting links84 and S5. Links 84 are fixed at one end upon shaft 65 for rotationtherewith and at their opposite ends said links Sil have pivotalconnection at 86 with links 85. The opposite ends of links -65 pivotallyconnected at 87 with the free ends of bladesy 72 outwardly beyondcontact terminals 71. The blades 72 of the lower switch units aresimilarly connected to shaft 66 through links 86 fixed upon said shaft66 for rotation therewith and having pivotal connection at 89 with links90 which links 90 are in turn pivot-ally connected at 91 with blades 72outwardly beyond contact terminals 7l.

Links Sil-85 and 88-90 form straight or substantially i60` degree toggleconnections between shafts 65 and 66 and the switch blades 72. Theseconnections impart a strong initial opening force toy blades 72 uponinitial rotation of shafts 65-66 in a clockwise direction to secure apositive breaking of contact and thereafter an ini-330 4:ses

creased velocity to secure quick movement ot' the blades to i'ull openposition. rl`his powert'nl initial force is the result of the relativelyslight movement ot blades 'T2 which accompanies relatively great initialrotation of shafts (35 and As the pivot ends 86--89 or' arms Slt-8S movetoward a vertical plane through the axis of sha'lt -66, the ratio ot theamount ot' movement of blades 72 to the amount ot' rotation ot' shafts(S6-6T increases. This results in a multiplying action or increasedvelocity with a iesulting quick movement of the blades to 'tull openpositions, which oiI course is highly desirable iii low tension work7but is of no great advantage in high tension work where these switchesare used in conjunction with oil switches.

Operating shafts 65 and G6 extend through a vertical wall or partitionshown in Fig. 5, but omitted in Fig. d. Said wall or partition 92 ispositioned substantially normal to wall or partition 69. At their outerends, shafts (S5 and GG carry operating arms 93 and fixed thereon. Arm93 has pivotal connection at 95 with the upper end of a relatively longoperating rod 9G. Arm 91 has pivotal connection at 9T with the upper endot' a relatively short operating rod 9S. The lower ends et rods 96 and98 are pivotally connected through a pin 99 with a pair of lugs 10(projecting iti-om an operating lever 101. Operating lever 101 ispivotally supported on a pin 102 mounted in a bracket 103 which bracket103 is mounted through an extension 101 upon wall G9. As explained inconnection with operating handle 55 when operating handle 101 is in theuppe-r position illustrated, pivotal connections 99 are in the verticalplane of pivot 102 or are swung past said plane whereby the operatingmechanism is locked against accidental opening 1n operating lever 101the same is thrown or swung downward through approximately 180 degreesto the position shown in dotted lines. By this motion, pivot pin 99 iscarried into or past the vertical plane ot pivot 102 below said pivot soas to again lock the operatingmechanism in its lower position and theswitch units iii their open position.

rl"he operating of this embodiment ot the invention is as follows:-

lVith the switch units closed and the operating mechanism in theposition shown, operating` handle lever 101 is thrown into dotted lineposition. Gperating rods and 9S are thereby drawn downwardly andoperating shafts 65 and G6 are revolved or rotated in clockwisedirection (Fig. 1). otation of arms S1 and 88 with shafts G5 and 66draws or pulls blades 72 toward open position through links S5 and 90,first with an exceptionally strong torce tok break contact andthereafter at increased velocity to secure quick movement ot' the bladesto full open position.

This embodiment ot the invention is equally as applicable to a single crany other number ot' phases, and as betoie while the various units areillustrated and described as opening and closing together it is to beunderstood that the operating incchanisin may be applied to open one setot switch units and close another and vice versa.

As before7 the adjustable mounting ot bearing blocks T8 in supportingjournals T9 between set screws S2 permits adjustment oit the points inthe rotation ol shafts 05 and 66 at which the switch units are openedand closed and also permits eliminating entirely or independentlyadjusting as desired any play between either oi shafts 05 or 00 andblades 72 without adjusting the various operating links themselves orthe pivotal connections therebetween.

1n Figs. 6 and T, l have shown the enibodiinent ot 1 and 5 mounted inparallei vertical coinpartn'ients or switch cells 110. lCells orcompartments are deiined by vertical partitions 111 and a back wall 112,upon which wall 112 the switch units are mounted in vertical alignedpairs. Each switch unit ot which there is an upper unit 113 and avertically aligned lower unit 11-1C in each compartment, comprises hingeand contact terminals 115 and 110 adapted to be connected by a blade ormovable switch member 117. Each terminal has a tongue or terminal lugand each blade comprises a pair ot' blade members for embracing theterminal lugs ot' the contact terminals and pivoted to the tongues orlugs of the hinge terminals by bolts 11S, suitable spring washers beingprovided before. rl`erminals 11.7 and 11G are mounted on i'ittings 119on the outer ends o1 insulators 120. The inner ends of insulators ai'emounted through suitable bases or fittings upon wall 112. rlerniinals115 and 110 are connected into circuit through coiiductors, busses orleads 121.

Horizontal switch operating shaits 1;.v and 123 ez'tend through thecells or compartments 110 and the partit-ions defining saine and arerotatably oui'naled iii bearing blocks 12st. Bearing blocks 121 aremounted in vcr- Lical partitions 111 with their outer sui-lacespractically llush with the outer edges ot said partitions. r1`he bladesof the upper switch units are connected to operating shaft 122 throughlinks 125 and 120. Links 120 ex'- tend between the tree ends ot blades11T which extend outwardly beyond contact terminals 11G and arepivotally connected with the blades at that point. blades 117 o thelower units are similarly connected t0 shait 1213 through links 128 and129.

' Operating shafts 122 and 1-3 project outiii.)

wardly through end wall 130 (Fig. 6) and at their outer ends' carry arms131 and 132 fixed thereon. Arm 131 has pivotal connection at 133 with anoperating link or rod 134 which may comprise alength of insulation or beotherwise formed as in other embodiments. The opposite end of link orrod 134 has pivotal connection with arm 132 at 135 and also at 135, arm132 has pivotal connection with a second rod or link 136. rlhe lower endof link 136 is pivotally connected at 137 with lug 138 of operatinglever 139. Lever 139 is pivotally supported on a pin 140 mounted in abracket 141 which bracket is in turn mounted through a bracket 142 uponthe outer surface of end wall 130. Compartments or cells 110 are closedby a cover or door 143.

In operation lever 139 is swung from its full to its dotted lineposition, drawing or pulling link 136 downwardly witha resultingcounterclockwise rotation of shaft 123 and correspondingcounterclockwise rotation of shaft 122 through link 134. Rot-ation ofarms 125 and 128 with shafts 122 and 123 draws or pulls blades 117 intoopen position through links 126 and 129; first, with a strong force topositively break contact and then at increased velocity to secure quickmovement to full open position. The provision for securing a stronginitial opening force followed by an increased velocity in a cell orcompartment of minimum size and in so simple a manner is a highlyimportant aspect of my invention.

" I do not intend to be limited to the precise details illustrated anddescribed.

1. In a switch, in combination, an operating shaft, a contact member, aswinging member extending beyond said contact member, and link mechanismconnecting said shaft with the extended portion of said swinging memberfor actuating it into and out of engagement with said contact member. 2.In a switch, a contact member, a. swinging member extended beyond saidcontact member, an operating shaft, link mechanism connecting said shaftwith said swinging member, said mechanism comprising a link fixed tosaid shaft and a link pivotally connected to the extended portion ofsaid swinging member, and a link connected with said link mechanism andhaving stationary pivotal support.

3. In a switch, a shaft, a fixed member, a moving member extendingVbeyond and cooperating with said fixed member, and means connected tosaid shaft and to the extended portion of said moving member capable ofexerting a maximum initial force in breaking away said moving memberfrom said fixed member.

4. In combination, a pair of contact terminals, switch membersco-operable with said terminals and having free ends extending beyondsame, operating means for said switch members, and toggle mechanismconnecting said operating means with the extended portions of each ofsaid switch members.

5. In a switch, a rotatable operating shaft, link means thereon,swinging blade members having extended portions at their free ends, andlink means pivotally connected to said first link means and to theextended portions of each of said blade members.

6. In a switch, a rotatable operating shaft, link means thereon,swinging blade members having extended portions, link means pivotallyconnected to said first link means and to the extended portion of eachof said blade members, and arms having stationary pivotal support andconnected to said connecting link means.

7. In a switch, a contact member, a plurality of swinging members havingportions extending beyond said contact members, and link mechanismconnected to the extended portions of said swinging members, said linkmechanism being designed so that a strong initial force may first beapplied to break away said swinging members from said contact membersand thereafter an increased velocity to bring said swinging members tofull open position. y

S. In a switch, a contact member, a swinging member extending beyond andadapted to engage with said Contact member, and a swinging arm connectedto the extended portion of said swinging member, the effective length ofsaid swinging arm being a minimum and the effective length of saidswinging member being a maximum when said swinging member is engagedwith said contact member. f

9. In a switch, a shaft, a fixed member, a swinging member cooperatingwith and extending beyond said fixed member, link mechanism connected tosaid shaft and to the extended portion of said swinging member, andmeans provided for actuating said shaft.

10. In a switch, a shaft, a fixed member, a swinging member cooperatingwith and extending beyond said fixed member, link mechanism connected tosaid shaft and to the extended portion of said swinging member, andmeans provided for actuating said shaft, said means comprising a linkfixed to said shaft and a link mechanism connected to said fixed linkfor angularly moving said shaft.

11. In a switch, in combination, a bracket, a shaft mounted on saidbracket, a fixed member, a swinging member movable into and out ofco-operation with said fixed member and having a portion extendingbeyond said fixed member which co-operates therewith, and link mechanismconnected to

